Google MapsIn a lawsuit, an East Orange man alleges he was unfairly arrested by two Newark police officers when he refused to produce his car registration and insurance card. The man was returning to his car parked on Park Avenue in 2008.

NEWARK — An East Orange man claims two Newark police officers violated his civil rights when they arrested him more than two years ago for failing to produce motor vehicle documents, according to a lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Essex County.

The lawsuit, filed late last year, alleges Officers Richard Pisano and Luis Oliveira arrested Jeffrey Adams, 42, “without probable cause and with excessive force” after he refused to give them his vehicle registration and insurance certification.

Adams was returning to his car on Park Avenue in November 2008 when two female officers, investigating a nearby shooting, asked for his driver’s license, according to Adams’ attorney Edward Rebenack.

Adams sat in his car after handing over his license, according to the suit, but when asked to show his registration and insurance card he refused, claiming the officers had no reason to request them.

Rebenack said his client was stopped as a pedestrian, so the incident cannot be considered a motor vehicle stop.

Pisano and Oliveira were called to the scene moments later and asked Adams for the documents a second time. He refused again, prompting the arrest, according to the suit.

A police spokesman said the department could not comment on pending litigation.